Portland will host a pivotal discussion for Catholic leaders this November as the West Coast Catholic Conference presents “The Myth of the Christian Founding” and “The Myth of the Phantom Heresy.” The event, scheduled for Nov. 13‑14 at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport, features civil‑rights attorney Christopher A. Ferrara, founder of the American Catholic Lawyers Association, alongside Dr. Peter Kwasniewski and Fr. Jonathan Loop.
Why the conference matters
Ferrara, who successfully argued a 2020 Supreme Court case that reopened churches closed by COVID‑era restrictions, contends that the popular narrative of a Christian America is a historical inaccuracy. He points out that the Constitution never mentions God or Jesus Christ, a deliberate choice by the Founding Fathers to ensure religious freedom for all creeds.
In the 1860s, a group of Protestant reformers formed the National Reform Association, pushing for a constitutional amendment that would declare Christ as the nation’s ruler. Their effort, led by Supreme Court Justice William Strong and even presented to President Abraham Lincoln, was repeatedly rejected by Congress. Ferrara argues that the failure of that amendment reveals the true intent of the founders: a secular state where religion remains a private matter.
Implications for Catholics today
The myth, Ferrara warns, has real consequences. Believing that America was founded as a Christian nation can lead Catholics to view contemporary legal challenges as attacks on their faith, rather than as part of a constitutional framework that protects religious liberty for everyone.
He cites the 2025 law passed by the Washington State legislature that would have forced priests to break the seal of confession—a sacrament no priest may violate under any circumstances. A federal lawsuit filed by the state’s bishops halted the measure, illustrating how a supposedly “neutral” government can still threaten religious practice when the myth goes unchallenged.
Historical context
More than a century ago, Pope Leo XIII warned American Catholics against “Americanism,” the tendency to dilute Church teaching to fit a pluralist society. While later historians dismissed the concern as a “phantom heresy,” Ferrara believes the warning remains relevant. He argues that today’s Catholic leaders sometimes seek merely a seat at the table alongside other interest groups, rather than defending the distinct moral voice of the Church.
What attendees can expect
Conference participants will hear Ferrara’s legal and historical analysis, explore how the Constitution’s secular design safeguards religious freedom, and discuss practical steps for Catholics to engage in public life without compromising their faith. Registration details are available at sspxolf.org/2026conference.
Mark Rose, the article’s author, is the founder of Heed His Call, a nonprofit supporting contemplative and eremitic vocations, and a longtime technology consultant. He contributes opinion pieces on local politics and serves as a coordinator for the 2026 West Coast Catholic Conference.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
